JAKARTA - Cancer is a big challenge in the world of health, both globally and in Indonesia. Currently, cancer has become the third highest cause of death in the world, whereas previously it was not included in the top 10 causes of death.
Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, highlighted the high mortality rate of cancer demanding a strategic and multidimensional approach in handling it. According to him, there are three main approaches that are the solution to cancer problems, namely science, technology, and innovation.
All three require large investment in time, funds, and human resources. For example, a science-based approach is very important to understand the causes of cancer from an epidemiological perspective, because this disease cannot be treated in the same way as bacterial infections, which are enough with antibiotics.
"Therefore, cancer treatment is complex and specific. This is where the role of technology is needed to explore the genetic and molecular factors of this disease, which can then produce innovations in the form of more effective therapies and drugs," said Taruna Ikrar in the inauguration of the injection oncology production facility and PT Global Onkolab Farma capsule in Jakarta, recently.
In Indonesia, with the number of new cancer cases reaching more than 420,000 per year and the death rate of around 60 percent, cancer treatment is a national priority. The availability and access to innovative and affordable cancer drugs is one of the main keys to reducing the death rate from this disease.
In this context, BPOM plays an active role in encouraging the acceleration of the oncology drug registration process as a concrete step to overcome the increasing burden of cancer. The acceleration of the registration of cancer drugs is also considered important so that new therapies can be immediately used by patients throughout Indonesia.
"Currently there are only four to five companies that produce cancer drugs in Indonesia. The production is local but it is very limited," he said.
Nevertheless, he appreciated Kalbe Farma's steps through his subsidiary, Global Oncolab Farma, who was considered to play a pioneer in the development and innovation of oncology medicine technology in Indonesia.
"We hope that the latest technological-based innovative pharmaceutical products in dealing with cancer, and Global Oncolab Farma have shown a strong commitment in this," added Taruna.
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To support this acceleration, BPOM has cut the drug registration time from the previous 300 days to only 90 days. The certification process for Good Manufacturing Practices (CPOB) was also accelerated, now it can be completed in just one to two months with more intensive assistance.
"This acceleration will accelerate the presence of more innovative cancer drugs and can be used immediately by patients," he explained.
On the industrial side, the President Director of Kalbe Farma, Irawati Setiady, stated that his party had developed various forms of cancer preparations such as liquid injection, injection of dry frozen, tablets, and capsules for various types of therapy, ranging from chemotherapy to target therapy.
In addition, the company is also implementing cutting-edge technology such as a robot-based process isolation system, robotic asymptical charging, and quality supervision using the Manufacturing SMART approach.
"This is a tangible manifestation of our commitment to strengthening the treatment of cancer in Indonesia," said Irawati.
The development of production capacity and technology diversification is believed to be able to expand public access to cancer treatment while increasing the resilience of the national health sector.
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